I remember hearing my mother talk about “HOT FLASHES”. She didn’t discuss the details but I would see her grabbing a piece of paper or something to fan with or partially disrobing to cool off. I was a teenager then and was hopeful that I would not experience this. Well, I was wrong! You may have seen a woman experiencing this dreaded side effect of menopause or you may be that woman. I definitely am! I’ve caught myself doing some strange things to cool off. Real Strange!
The heat associated with a “Hot Flash” is intense! It starts brewing from the inside! My brain says, “It’s getting hot in here and you’re going to be on fire soon!” I can feel it coming and there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it. I’ve tried to not think about it but I haven’t been successful in “thinking a hot flash away”. One minute I’m fine and the next minute I am literally on fire! Or that’s how I feel! Sometimes, the heat is so intense that I feel like I’m about to explode! I want to completely disrobe, and/or walk into a freezer. A freezing cold freezer! And I mean a stroll not a sprint! The problem is, even if I did disrobe I would still be HOT! Often times, I will grab my church fan to provide some relief. In the winter, I stand outside in below freezing temperatures and just inhale the fresh COLD air. All I want to do is cool off! And the strange part is, when the “Hot Flash” passes, I’m chilly and busy covering up! Whether I used a fan, stuck my head in the freezer or just toughed it out, my body has cooled down tremendously. What kind of body can go from 100+ degrees one minute and below 60 degrees two minutes later and it’s normal! A New Normal! It’s crazy and so annoying!
This is one of the side effects that makes Aging not so Graceful! The perspiration builds and is most times obvious. Your clothes began to stick to your body and you want to “take everything off”! Hot Flashes don’t care where you are or who you’re talking too! I remember talking with a client one day, I could tell when she was “flashing” and I’m sure she noticed the instant sweat forming around my face as well. (This was not simultaneous.) We kept talking and the “flashes” passed. Neither of us mentioned it and continued with our conversation just as if we were never on fire! But we were! It’s the craziest thing! We’ve learned to live with this sudden burst of heat but it hasn’t been easy for me. I’ve brought home a few church fans so I could have one in every room that I frequent. You know…the fans with the funeral home information on it. Yes, those fans! I have one in the kitchen, family room, my nightstand, bathroom vanity and my office. Surely this wasn’t stealing from the church? Was it? Naw…couldn’t be! Whew! Thank God for His Forgiveness!
Some say the intensity of the hot flash is based upon your diet. (I’ve already shared that my diet is pretty clean and healthy, so this can’t be it.) Others say, you can use a hormone treatment to ease the suffering of this and other menopausal symptoms. These statements could be true. I opted not to participate with the hormone meds prescribed by my doctor due to the side effects of the drug. I thought I was choosing the lesser of two evils but now I’m not so sure. A girlfriend recommended that I purchase some Black Cohosh and it does seem to make the flashes more tolerable…at times.
Today, I use my cute little phone fan to stay cool when I’m out and about. It attaches to my mobile phone which makes it convenient for me to hold it wherever needed in order to cool down. Most of the time, that’s immediately snatching the hair off the back of my neck so my neck can cool down first. They say, if you can get the back of your neck cool, you will cool down. I don’t know who “they” are but I don’t always wait that long. I start there and move to my face so water/sweat will not stream down my cheeks. And there are times that I may blow air into my chest/breast and lift my top to cool my abdomen (even in public-but discreetly..I hope). Then there’s my underarms and sometimes my thighs! UGH!!! Awful HEAT! Like I said…I really want to take my clothes off! I know the Rapper, Nelly didn’t write “Hot in Herre” about Menopause but the chorus is so appropriate. “It’s getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes. I am, getting so hot, I wanna take my clothes off “. That’s exactly how I feel! How can I be Graceful when I’m irritated by my necklace, messing up my hair, pulling up my clothes and showing the world my armpits. This is NOT a graceful look but I’m determined! Aging Gracefully Ain’t No Joke!
I’ve found these fans to be so beneficial and convenient that I felt like you could use one too. I even added a convenient signature carrying pouch so you can find it in your handbag. I have them in a variety of colors for just $10 with the Signature Blue Pouch (+shipping). Orange, Blue, Green, Pink and Black. I even have some Custom Red and White Fans remaining from a special order. The Red and White are $12.00 each including a Red Velvet Pouch (+shipping). But these fans are not just for Hot Flashes. They are good for anytime you need a good personal breeze. I use it when applying makeup under those hot lights, immediately after my Hot Yoga class or workout, outdoor concerts and sporting events or when it’s warmer in a facility than I desire it to be. Visit www.platinumhighlights.com/shop to order your fan today! Share this with your friends as well. Those Soccer Moms, Sports Enthusiasts, Amphitheater attendees and of course your Aging Gracefully Friends can all benefit from this unique little accessory.
There are discount codes on the site for a great deal – Buy a Red Fan and Get a White Fan Free. Or Get a White Fan for 50% off. The code can be found on the About page. Order yours today! Supply is limited! In the meantime…Stay Cool!
We are Seasoned, Unique and still Beautiful!
Platinum Highlights, “Embracing the Change”
